The Whitman College Experience

We are dedicated to enriching the minds of our students, enhancing their character, and stirring their individual spirit. Our campus culture is one that fosters and nurtures close dialogue and collaborative research among students and faculty. Expect a strong and broad foundation of knowledge. A passion for the life of the mind. The ability to adapt and think critically. The desire to ask serious questions about the society we live in and the ability to analyze complex issues to find answers to those questions. The drive to take intellectual risks. Creativity. Persuasive, thoughtful communication. Strong interpersonal and social skills. These are all products of the rigorous liberal arts education at Whitman. Regardless of the major you choose to pursue, these skills will be developed throughout your Whitman education.

An interdisciplinary curriculum. Encounters: The foundation of a Whitman liberal arts education, Encounters is a two-semester course set in collaborative 16 student classrooms. Encounters coursework challenges student intellect through in-depth exploration and discussion of great religion, history, literature, and Western philosophy, with an emphasis on the study of primary sources, discussion, and writing. Outside of Encounters, as part of Whitman's general studies requirements you'll take courses on topics you've always wanted to explore, as well as on those you haven't yet considered, ranging from anthropology to geology, the politics of environmental studies to world literature, and beyond.

A passion for rigorous scholarship. Whitman faculty are not only experts in their fields, they also bring their passion into the classroom to inspire a true dedication to scholarship in their students. They will demand your engagement while providing support for your learning. You will come to know them personally as they become collaborators, critics, mentors, and advisers.

Experiences that connect you to the real world. A Whitman liberal arts education extends to challenging learning experiences outside the classroom, across the region, and around the world. Research opportunities, social and athletic programming, informal lectures and discussions, service learning, internships, and real-world fieldwork allows you to place your classroom learning in the context of daily life. These experiences help reinforce the ideas and insights inspired by rigorous theoretical learning within Whitman’s classrooms.